Bruce Jack – Chenin Blanc Skin Contact ‘Off The Charts’ – 2023

PRODUCER NOTE:
Bruce Jack Wines is made up of a small, dynamic team which aims to celebrate authenticity and provenance, not just in the wine they craft, but in everything they do. Head winemakers Bruce Jack and Marlize Beyers have worked together for over two decades, since 2002, and both have extensive experience in many winemaking regions around the world. Human culture started at the tip of Africa, despite it being ‘off the charts’, so it is fitting that something as culturally rooted as wine should thrive there, inspiring the ‘Off the Charts’ wine range, crafted from grape varieties and regions that are South Africa’s viticultural cornerstones. The labels draw inspiration from the untamed majesty of the wilderness and the symbolic Basotho blanket. In 2023, Bruce Jack featured for the fourth consecutive year in the World’s Most Admired Wine Brands, an accolade awarded by the Drinks International.

VINTAGE:
Generally, winter was dry and warm with budbreak occurring early, around seven to 10 days earlier than usual. Spring and early summer growing conditions were favourable, with abundant rains just before véraison helping fruit quality. A cool and wet summer prolonged ripening and harvest. The Swartland region benefited from the absence of heatwaves, resulting in good quality fruit, albeit slightly lower quantity in 2023.

VINEYARD:
The Chenin Blanc vineyards lie at the heart of Swartland at elevations ranging from 60 to 300 metres above sea level. Nestled in ancient sandstone and shale soils, the vineyards benefit from a unique combination of factors. The region experiences scorching, dry summers followed by cool, wet winters, creating an environment that maximises the development of flavours and aromas in the grapes. Chenin Blanc is a standout varietal here and thrives whether grown on trellises or as bush vines. The soils and dry land conditions are particularly suited for bush vine cultivation, resulting in small berries bursting with layered flavours, rich colour and soft tannin structures. 33% of the fruit for this wine comes from old, low-yielding bush vines which produce concentrated fruit. The vineyards are sustainably cultivated and the grapes are hand-harvested.

WINEMAKING:
The grapes were hand-picked from three distinct vineyards in Swartland. The grapes from each of the vineyards were vinified separately to accentuate the subtleties of each of the blocks. 45% of the grapes were destemmed and underwent 24 hours of skin contact, followed by gentle pneumatic pressing and fermentation in stainless steel. The fruit from the younger bush vines was fermented in concrete tanks, while the older bush vine fruit accounted for 11% and was fermented on the lees in old 300-litre French barrels, at cooler temperatures due to the higher solids content. The wine was aged on the fine lees for a few months, before being bottled while youthful and fresh.

TASTING NOTE:
Mouthwatering notes of lush tropical fruits gracefully intermingle with floral hints and vibrant citrus undertones through to a crisp, refreshing finish.

GRAPE:
Chenin Blanc 89%, Grenache Blanc 11%.

COUNTRY:
South Africa

REGION:
Western Cape

SUB-REGION:
Swartland